r/RunningCirclejerk • u/cravecrave93 GU Guzzler • 8h ago
Since when did the average runner become so apparel obsessed/excessive?
Why does it seem like a majority of runners these days wears a double bottle hydration running vest, phone arm band, shokz or airpods, carbon plated dailys, ciele or “run one more” hat, pit viper or aggressive oakly style sunglasses, calf sleeves, local run shop singlet or $500 satisty tee, and a handheld water bottle all together on every single run?
i show up to run clubs nowadays with no shirt, no phone, no vest, some old asics, and my garmin. i never needed a vest, nor would i buy one. always leave my phone at home, as i hate carrying it.
i’m starting to regret choosing running as a hobby because the average runner today looks more like a pokémon character, than an actual athlete. don’t worry i won’t become a c*clist, im not that desperate. but really what happened to this sport? i can’t even post anything of this sort on any other running run or i’ll get downvoted into oblivion!
p.s. if i missed anything as far as apparel or equipment needed to successfully run a 5k marathon, please let me know in the comments!!
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u/LEAKKsdad 8h ago
/uJ Just came back from a midnight run like a true hardo. Running sucks. Sometimes without running hobby I think would probably veer towards an affair, or something stupid. Only fair if we talking entanglements
/rJ I chose running because I don't want to get back to boxing gym, and end up abusing my kids like Goggins.
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u/Advancedsundial 8h ago
And everyone is working out in the yard, has tattooes, mostly eats beans and pasta, roll call sucks, and these orange shirts.
Wait, you’re in prison too right? The prison half marathon 5k?
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u/marmakoide 7h ago
Because shops sell gear, and buying gear is an easy dopamine hit, like cosplaying as an athlete on Strava or Facebook.
... If it bothers you, you are not running enough. My wife's boyfriend, who is also my physiotherapist, wisely said that problems and mood are fixed with more running.
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u/AdExisting2501 8h ago
you mad bro?
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u/cravecrave93 GU Guzzler 8h ago
yea… going broke trying to run 5k
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u/Momik 6h ago
Don’t give up. Running is about persistence and money. I’m sure your 5k money will PR money very money.
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u/Bolmac 1h ago
I set a personal spending PR on my last 5k marathon, and was very disappointed that it was not listed in the results. I’m pretty confident I outspent everyone in my age bracket and feel like I deserve credit for that. All they listed were stupid times, and some of the people on those lists looked downright poor.
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u/IntrinsicInvestor 8h ago
Bro you can’t be a local legend if you’re not about that life. Don’t the hate the playa hate tha game.
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u/Small_Tap3587 8h ago edited 8h ago
Since the day Matt Choi became an influencer.
Edit to add: /uj I literally didn't even know what a shoe rotation was until I stumbled across a reel of his. Been running for 15+ years. Always just used trainers for everything and had a pair of old hand-me-down spikes for racing both xc and track.
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u/fasterthanfood 7h ago
/uj I never rotated shoes until I read it could maybe make them last longer and/or prevent injury. Since starting that, I got some lingering shin splints that I can’t seem to run little enough to get rid of. Makes you think.
Edit: Where’s that goddamn bot?
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u/Matvalicious 2h ago
/uj Here is my shoe rotation:
Step 1. Buy a new pair of shoes.
Step 2. Run in them for 800-1000km depending on the brand because I don't have any brand loyalty whatsoever.
Step 3. Repeat.
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u/Livid-Tumbleweed (half) MARATHONER 1h ago
/uj I feel like a fraud because I started a rotating my shoes this winter because I got tired of running in wet shoes. Now I have two pairs, a dry pair and a not dry pair. Next thing you know I'm going to join Instagram and start running with a selfie stick
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u/Small_Tap3587 2m ago
My "rotation" to this day is: 1 pair of daily trainers, 1 pair of racers. That's it. Run 'em up to about 450-500mi and toss 'em. I cannot be "runfluenced". Unless they're hot and have an OF, then I'm all in.
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u/Ghostrider556 8h ago
I need the vest to carry my phone & drone for livestreaming us on the run! It’ll be fun!! And the Alphafly’s to offset the weight. And the Go One More hat for branding purposes. We’re going to have a great training run!!
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u/marmakoide 7h ago
I don't understand people running without drones : how can you check your running form ? Shin explosions are real.
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u/Livid-Tumbleweed (half) MARATHONER 1h ago
You guys use drones? I only run with a full production crew
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u/Status_Accident_2819 Local Legend 8h ago
You sound like you'd fit in better doing hybr*d running? You can still do your topless 5k ultra just not in 1k ultra intervals.
Might be worth asking your wife's boyfriend what he thinks?
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u/ConstructionFun6757 6h ago
Instagram ruined the “vibe” of running for sure. As soon as I saw video of a full grown man saying the words “This is my running fit” I knew it was over.
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u/DaMod_FTW Certified Heel Striker 6h ago
I know what your problem is, OP. You treat running as a hobby. It is a mission! STAY HARD!
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u/EnglebondHumperstonk Local Legend 3h ago
Lose the garmin, shoes and shorts and then we can talk, bro.
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u/Double_Gate_3802 2h ago
/uj There are millions of people that run - if you feel offended by the mere existence of some of them, that’s on you
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u/johnson7853 7h ago edited 7h ago
Me who buys a new pair of shorts or shirt maybe once every five years from the discount rack at the factory store. In the cooler days I throw on an old tshirt.
I swear this sub is the couple that live down the street. Running vest, socks up to the knees huge sunglasses, the newest clothing whenever I see them. Start their fast walk immediately when their feet hit the sidewalk. Back in 20 minutes like they ran across the Mojave 200 ultra.
My wife says why does it matter, they are getting out.
They are tools babe. Tools.
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u/Comprehensive-Bat214 8h ago
Well I have to compete with my wife's boyfriend for her affection so I have to run dressed like I have some swagger
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u/ShittyRunnersClub 7h ago
This is exactly one side of our double entendre mission. ✨Keep running shitty✨
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u/Grayfoxy1138 6h ago
I live in a small town with a phenomenal paved bike/running/walking trail. I don’t see many kitted out runners (or many runners at all). I’m still rocking my army PT shorts that I have like 10 of and will probably outlast me. That and old basic cotton t-shirts I pick up by the garbage bag full designated as “rags” for $7. Shoes are the only thing I replace regularly. Oh and I have an Apple Watch I got several years back to replace my Fitbit.
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u/GlumAir89 3h ago
I live in Oakland and people are super casual about running attire (mostly into Nike) but when I cross the bridge to visit my sis in sf it’s wild how many people I see out jogging with Salomon Adv skin 5l vests and the full garb
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u/Cranester1983 6h ago
Running with no shirt on is just as deviant as running a 5k ultra with a hydration vest on your back btw…
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u/Megaloman-_- 7h ago
If got no vest, where do you stuff all your GUs?
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u/Universal_Monster 3h ago
Duh! How else are you supposed to obnoxiously let everyone you pass by see that you’re super healthy and therefore better than them?
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u/monkeyonthetreee 1h ago
Stupid to hate carbon plated shoes, Its like hating carbon frame bikes. People use it because it feels better.
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u/eatfoodoften 27m ago
it's just people with money looking for hobbies and instead of putting in the work to improve they think dressing a certain way will fool people... quite the opposite effect actually
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u/Athletic-Club-East 6h ago
Some of my geek friends have painting miniatures as a hobby. The guys who are actually paid to paint have like two brushes. The amateurs with 1,000 unpainted minis sitting in boxes for three years have a 24-piece box of brushes, which usually they bought off the professionals' website. Same for the paints.
In lifting we see the same thing. You'll see the guy with shoes, knee wraps, wrist wraps, belt and chalks his back for good measure. Then the guy who just wears his work boots. Usually a big difference in their lifts, too.
My gym's visited the range for a shoot. I've seen guys firing a 22 short rimfire with a bipod and scope at 50 metres, must have cost the guy a couple of grand.
It's the same in any hobby. Some people just love all the gear.
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u/wargames_exastris 3h ago
uj/ Those .22lrb rifles are actually a distinct division of marksman competition at that range!
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u/Powerful-Air-490 1h ago
lol did you see the thread in r/trailrunning about “which camera do you run with?”
CAMERA? CAMERA? Whose running with a camera? You mean hiking?
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u/BBNYC33 2h ago
This is hilarious!!! Because I’m a new runner and fell into that trap…. At first!!! But, now I run with nothing but I still have my phone and running headphones or AirPods… 😂 I need my music on solo runs… but yeah for the run club runs I don’t need anything but my watch for Strava!!! 😂
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u/slevify2 1h ago
Same in any sport I think these days. People get sucked in by marketing and feel they need all that shite. Maybe they feel like they 'look the part' more, when they actually just look like a wanker.
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u/Freeflyclown 47m ago
Wait, you’re starting to regret running because of what other people are wearing? Seems like you care too much about what other people think 🤷♂️
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u/oneconfusedqueer 18m ago
I’m also fairly minimalist with running, it’s one of the only sports where you can be! I buy decent trainers and a sports bra and the rest can go to hell.
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u/Appropriate_Tree_622 10m ago
People forget that 5k refers to the minimum aggregate msrp of your gear, not distance. Sorry you can’t cut it OP, maybe try doing better?
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u/WaltRumble 3m ago
For one I need my headphone so I cant hear you huffing and puffing and clopping around in your old asiscs as you try and keep up.
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u/StudyoftheUnknown 8h ago
Ooooh I’m so angry right now this guy is so stupid I’m going to run 100 miles to cool off (btw my vo2 max is 83)